Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road: Thursday’s In-State Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thursday's action at the Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road Championships brought together some of the top talent from across the country to South Carolina, and the Palmetto State was well represented. From polished veterans to rising names who continue to build momentum, these five in-state prospects turned heads with strong performances to open the weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1487225"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3697035,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5a12c7a3215"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Headlining my list of Palmetto State standouts from the Adidas 3SSB Championships is [player_tooltip player_id='1487225' first='Desmond' last='Harrington']. Harrington was great in Upward's opener against CA Gold, posting 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the big win. Desmond was active in the pick-and-roll early, setting strong screens and rolling hard to the rim. He also ran the floor well in transition for an easy dunk and an offensive put-back. However, his motor wasn't limited to the offensive end of the floor; he was also active in pick-and-roll defense and moves well to protect the rim. Harrington should be a target for college coaches in Rock Hill the rest of the week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1737994"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5a12c7a3254"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars SE'] 2027 who should have schools checking him out this week is Johnson. Jaden was the Stars' leading scorer on day one, putting up 18 points on 4-8 3FG in the 26-point win. With how fast Upward plays and how active their bigs can be on the glass, Jaden gets easy looks all the time. He has become a very good shooter on the move and has made his release faster, allowing him to take advantage of open looks more efficiently. Johnson also showed some of his playmaking acumen with 4 assists, a couple of which set up other spot-up threats with good looks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2412592"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3697036,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5a12c7a3282"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2412592' first='Ian' last='Gause'] is a 2028 big man who has been playing excellent basketball this summer. Gause showed all that he can do offensively on day one, putting up 14 points on 2 3PM, a baseline drive for a layup, a finish from the dunker spot, and some easy buckets around the rim. He still needs to become a stronger and more consistent finisher in the paint, but the stretch aspect of his game is something I haven't seen before. Gause looked confident and comfortable stepping out to the perimeter on his two attempts, showcasing a clean stroke and good touch. Look for Ian to be a big riser in the rankings with all the movement in South Carolina's 2028 Class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2373165"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3697037,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5a12c7a32ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of that movement, [player_tooltip player_id='2373165' first='CJ' last='Moore'] is the new #1 player in the Prep Hoops SC Rankings because of the departure of Antoine Caughman. This is my first time seeing CJ since that announcement, and he showed some of the flashes that make him a highly-touted prospect. His two-way playmaking was most impressive, using his gifted combination of size and athleticism to force turnovers, block shots, and get out in transition. With Moore, it's all about continuing to improve his jumper and make those flashes more consistent, but he's been one of Upward's best 2028s all season long and is continuing to play good basketball in Rock Hill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2853393"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5a12c7a32cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2853393' first='Babar' last='Johnson'] rounds out the Friday Standouts from 3SSB Palmetto Road. He was a dominant force for Upward Stars, going for 24 points and 14 rebounds in a tight win over AZ Storm. Babar shot an efficient 6-11 from the field, and it felt like most of his misses at the rim he cleaned up himself. Johnson's size, athleticism, and desire to get to the rim are what made him successful, and it was Upward's best form of offense. He also knocked down a pair of impressive mid-range jumpers and did a great job of earning trips to the free-throw line. With the positional size and scoring skill that he already has, Babar is easily one of the best prospects in the Palmetto State, regardless of class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->